Construction management marks three decades of excellence

Published 09.23.2023

Photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-Penn College News; and Wayne R. Sheppard, assistant professor of construction management

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    Construction management faculty and this year's senior class impressively assemble around the podium in the Keystone Dining Room during Thursday's banquet. Joining the students at left are Wayne R. Sheppard (front row), assistant professor; and Brandon L. Group (rear), instructor. At right are Bradley M. Martin (rear), instructor; and Jason E. Krick, assistant professor.
    Construction management faculty and this year's senior class impressively assemble around the podium in the Keystone Dining Room during Thursday's banquet. Joining the students at left are Wayne R. Sheppard (front row), assistant professor; and Brandon L. Group (rear), instructor. At right are Bradley M. Martin (rear), instructor; and Jason E. Krick, assistant professor.

    A day and a half of mentorship and inspiration, as well as a Thursday night banquet to honor the milestone, commemorated the 30th anniversary of Penn College's first bachelor's-degree major: construction management.

    Alumni and industry leaders from across the years attended the event, an apt lead-in to Wildcat Weekend, to celebrate a program that has seen countless changes – evolving curriculum and 11 different full-time faculty members, to name a few – but which has consistently enjoyed support from the companies that recruit and hire from the talent pool within the college's labs.

    Another thing that has remained the same?

    "The great students we attract, those who really love the industry and wanted to be involved and enjoy the challenges of managing construction," said department head Wayne R. Sheppard, who was instrumental in arranging guest speakers and the banquet to acknowledge the occasion. "Our students are the story; they are what makes this adventure worth it all."

    Those who shared peerless life lessons and priceless tips from the field, many of them alumni, are:

    • Lauren S. Bucher, '19, estimator at Wagman Construction Inc., "Purchasing Power: The Role and Impact of Project Buyout."
    • Ryan D. Cawley, '15, project manager – industrial division, Worth & Co., "Value Engineering in Construction."
    • Chekota J. Newhart, '19, manager of customer success, StruxHub, "Struxhub Field Management Software."
    • Kevin L. Imes, '03 and '07, construction project manager, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, "Health Care Construction: An Owner's Perspective."
    • Anthony L. Detweiler, '97, program superintendent, IPS, "Pharmaceutical Construction Utilization Plans: Considerations and How They Are Used Through Project Stages."
    • Curtis Wargo, '05, senior project manager, Allan Myers, "The Value of Leadership."
    • Ryan A. Sokoloski, '08, director, building operations, National Geographic, "Knowledge and Networking: How Your Experiences and Relationships Help Shape Your Career."
    • Area superintendents Nicholas S. Tomaine, '14, and Anthony V. Rode, '16, as well as Benjamin J. Stover, '13, project manager – all from Hensel Phelps – "Money, Change and Negotiation in Construction."
    • Lee D. Michaels, '11, service manager, PerLectric, "Customer Service in Construction."
    • Robert J. Henning, '97, president, H&H Construction, "Construction Law, Guilty Until Proven Innocent."
    • Michael J. Cook, the major's first instructor at Penn College (and much more, including naval service and a law degree), "My Career, My Life in Construction."
    • Peter Schramm, vice president and construction executive, and William Ready, virtual design and construction manager, both from Turner Construction, "BIM Integration Into the Construction Process."

    The diverse array of topics was formulated to expose students to contemporary challenges in the industry, as well as issues valuable for young professionals as they begin their careers.

    An attentive banquet crowd listens to Michael J. Cook, the first faculty member in Penn College's construction management program.
    An attentive banquet crowd listens to Michael J. Cook, the first faculty member in Penn College's construction management program.
    Amassing a resume overflowing with experiences – from serving in the Navy to attaining his law degree to teaching at the University of Florida – Cook also "has worked for the largest contractor on the planet to the smallest general contractor in Louisiana."
    Amassing a resume overflowing with experiences – from serving in the Navy to attaining his law degree to teaching at the University of Florida – Cook also "has worked for the largest contractor on the planet to the smallest general contractor in Louisiana."
    Lauren S. (Herr) Bucher, a 2019 construction management graduate now employed by Wagman Inc. as an estimator, adds to current students' real-world exposure through a hands-on assignment in "Purchasing Power." Bucher kicked off two days of Alumni in the Classroom sessions as part of her major's 30th anniversary celebration.
    Lauren S. (Herr) Bucher, a 2019 construction management graduate now employed by Wagman Inc. as an estimator, adds to current students' real-world exposure through a hands-on assignment in "Purchasing Power." Bucher kicked off two days of Alumni in the Classroom sessions as part of her major's 30th anniversary celebration.
    Curtis Wargo, '05, a senior project manager with longtime college supporter Allan Myers, stressed the importance of self-awareness and attitude in projecting one's leadership potential. "It's not always what you know," said Wargo, joined by three co-workers for his presentation, "but who you are as a person."
    Curtis Wargo, '05, a senior project manager with longtime college supporter Allan Myers, stressed the importance of self-awareness and attitude in projecting one's leadership potential. "It's not always what you know," said Wargo, joined by three co-workers for his presentation, "but who you are as a person."
    The caliber of companies that hire construction management graduates is evident in this list of sponsors for the 30th annniversary celebration.
    The caliber of companies that hire construction management graduates is evident in this list of sponsors for the 30th annniversary celebration.
    Ryan A. Sokoloski (left rear), director of building operations for National Geographic – currently overseeing a colossal transformation of the society's museum space in the nation's capital – leads students through a "Speed Networking" exercise. Sokoloski, '08, talking with Lee D. Michaels ('11, another alumni returnee), suggested audience members consider a more natural form of professional interaction, building a network from contacts made as they move through their careers.
    Ryan A. Sokoloski (left rear), director of building operations for National Geographic – currently overseeing a colossal transformation of the society's museum space in the nation's capital – leads students through a "Speed Networking" exercise. Sokoloski, '08, talking with Lee D. Michaels ('11, another alumni returnee), suggested audience members consider a more natural form of professional interaction, building a network from contacts made as they move through their careers.

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